PB wristband: a sports must-have?

The idea for Power Balance began 3 ½ years ago with a crystal. Practitioners of ancient Chinese medicine turned for nature for healing, and the Rodarmel family embraced alternative medicine.

Troy, who built computers and sold memory, knew he would make a healthy living if he could program the "frequencies" emitted by Eastern medicine's pricey stones into affordable, wearable material.

He discovered that Mylar film used for party balloons and anti-static envelopes could hold the desired frequencies. He embedded the signals in Mylar holographic disks, which he fastened to a wristband because it would be worn within the body's energy field.

Troy and Josh sunk their savings into their startup and left steady employment to launch Power Balance. But selling wristbands, especially on the Internet, was challenging. Consumers thought: Why trust this product?

A year into the business, they were going broke. Troy was in Sweden, collecting recyclable bottles and cans for pocket change. Josh, a Yale graduate, was scrounging out a living by delivering luggage, tutoring Spanish and doing anything to stave off the 9-to-5 cubicle of adult life.

"It was a rough beginning before we got lucky," said Josh. "In 2008 we just started going up to everyone we knew, showing them the product in person and letting them try it for free. If they liked it, we told them to tell their friends."

They demonstrated the product's value by conducting one-legged balance, sit-up strength and rotational flexibility tests. People were amazed with the difference the band made.

Troy, 35, a former surfer who lives in Capistrano Beach, took to the Orange County shore, handing out first-generation neoprene and Velcro wristbands stamped with "Power Balance" and containing two shiny disks. Soon surfers, then beach volleyball players wanted the bands they heard provided an edge.

Josh went to USC to track down his former Mission Viejo High football teammate Mark Sanchez. The then-Trojans quarterback wore the band during his sophomore and junior seasons. Seeing Sanchez's success, first his Trojan teammates, then Coach Pete Carroll, then USC fans and then USC's opponents bought bands.

Power Balance's big exposure came when Sanchez and Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford donned wristbands at the 2009 NFL Combine. They were drafted in the first round.

"I'm performing at a higher level with it on, so I never take it off," said Stafford, who got his first band from Sanchez. "I can go longer and harder in workouts. I also don't feel so beat up after a tough game."

Another turning point came after Josh met with Phoenix Suns team physician Dr. Michael Clark in 2009. Players including All-Star point guard Steve Nash and then-center Shaquille O'Neal sported the bands for a game that "we won by like 57 points," recalled O'Neal.

"I want to do everything to get the slightest advantage...," said O'Neal, who became a believer after the stone-footed, stilt-stepped center felt a surge of jungle-cat quickness. "It (Power Balance) works."

Word of mouth

It was about 15 months ago when more athletes made the Power Balance wristbands a part of their uniforms. These athletes' images were making covers of Sports Illustrated, highlights on ESPN "SportsCenter" and front pages of newspaper sports sections.

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Since founding their company in Jaunary 2007, brothers Troy and Josh Rodarmel (right) have built Power Balance one connection and one wristband at a time. Now their wristbands, which make use of Eastern medical principles to promote wellness, have become the sports accessory few athletes want to be left without. PHOTO BY ANA VENEGAS/THE REGISTER, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Power Balance technology comes in wristbands and jewelry, such as zinc alloy pendants. More than 2.5 million units have been sold, most of them wristbands, which retail for $29.95. The first Power Balance wristbands were neoprene (bottom). Then the popular silicone (top) band was released. People seemed to like the silicone band because it has become fairly common to wear the Lance Armstrong "Livestrong" silicone bracelets. PHOTO BY ANA VENEGAS/THE REGISTER, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
The culture is fairly laid-back at Power Balance. But there one thing that's no joke. Troy Rodarmel holds a key to a "secret" room the Laguna Niguel headquarters where he uses a computer to embed frequencies found in healing rocks and crystals into Mylar holographic disks. The holograms are the essence of Power Balance technology, which is why only Troy and Josh Rodarmel have access to this room. PHOTO BY ANA VENEGAS/THE REGISTER, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
One of the turning points in the success of Power Balance came when the bands got big time exposure at the 2009 NFL Combine. Here, former Mission Viejo and USC quarterback Mark Sanchez, left, and Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford wore the bands. Sanchez got his first band from Power Balance founder and vice president of marketing Josh Rodarmel. Sanchez shared the technology with his pal, Stafford. AP PHOTO, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Every day it seems like the staff at Power Balance hears about another athlete who has been seen wearing a wristband. Just two years ago, it took a lot of effort to get one person to wear the band. Now Power Balance is spreading by word of mouth. A few weeks ago, Josh Rodarmel, the vice president of marketing, learned that Cleveland All-Star LeBron James -- This is Rodarmel walking in front of James' picture -- had worn a Power Balance wristband. Having gotten on the hand of King James, one of the world's most popular athletes, Rodarmel laughed, saying, "Who's left now?" PHOTO BY ANA VENEGAS/THE REGISTER, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Local artist Brian Bent has been commissioned by Power Balance to do portraits of athletes and celebrities who used the company's wristbands. Troy and Josh Rodarmel plan to give the original work, like this one of actor Gerard Butler that hangs behind employee Tim Milosch, to each athlete. They're also using the images to make poker chips for an Aug. 3 charity event to benefit ovarian cancer research. PHOTO BY ANA VENEGAS/THE REGISTER, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Los Angeles Lakers' Lamar Odom celebrates after a score during a game last month. He is wearing Power Balance bracelets. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Laker Derek Fisher, wearing Power Balance on his left wrist, learned about the band from teammate Lamar Odom. Having his hit nose against the floor in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals last month, Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns, um, used to wear Power Balance. AP PHOTO, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
In the middle of two blocking Lakers, Phoenix Suns guard Leandro Barbosa wears a Power Balance wristband. It's one of the original band designs, made of neoprene and fastened with Velcro. CHRIS CARLSON/AP, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Jared Dudley, with a white Power Balance wristband on his right hand, celebrates with Phoenix Suns teammate Grant Hill (right) in Game 6 of the 2010 Western Conference Finals. At the Laguna Niguel Power Balance headquarters, painter Brian Bent has painted a portrait of Dudley. GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Wearing a silicone Power Balance band on his left wrist, Laker Jordan Farmer comes off the court while the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate behind him in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. Farmer learned about the band from teammate Lamar Odom -- not the unidentified Thunder player sporting the blue band behind Farmar. PHOTO BY MICHAEL GOULDING/THE REGISTER, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
A white Power Balance wristband is on the right hand of soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of the Portugese team in this month's World Cup. It's not clear how Ronaldo got turned on to PB. But the Real Madrid forward was seen romancing American socialite Kim Kardashian. Her sister, Khloe, started wearing Power Balance after her husband, Laker Lamar Odom, did. Could that be the connection? PHOTO COURTESY POWER BALANCE, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp congratulated A.J. Ellis (No. 17) after Ellis drove in the game-winning run during a June 6, 2010 game against Atlanta. Kemp has the Power Balance band on his left wrist. GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Shaquille O'Neal, right, became a Power Balance believer as a member of the Phoenix Suns. The team physician introduced the team to the technology. Like most people, Shaq, wearing the band on his left hand as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers this season, was skepitical. He wound up providing a testimonial for the company, saying "I don't really do a lot of testimonials, but this really works!... I kept feeling something when I wore the bracelet, so I kept wearing it. When I took it off I went back to normal. I've been wearing the bracelet ever since." GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Boston Celtics' Glen "Big Baby" Davis came up big late in Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Lakers. Davis, with a white band on his left wrist, got the Power Balance bug from teammate Paul Pierce. PHOTO BY MICHAEL GOULDING/THE REGISTER, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
The Power Balance marketing team visited the spring training facilities of several major-league ballclubs, among them the Philiadelphia Phillies. Shane Victorino (left) didn't need to be converted. He has been wearing Power Balance for the past two seasons. AP PHOTO, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Just because he doesn't play doesn't mean Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel can't wear Power Balance. Greeting Jamie Moyer after throwing a complete game in June 5, 2010, Manuel shows the wristband on his right arm. He actually wears a band on each wrist, a habit since Power Balance visited the Phillies during spring training. Manuel credits the band with eliminated the pain used to feel in his hands. AP PHOTO, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
England's injured midfielder David Beckham, joining his team during a World Cup training session on June 8, 2010, has worn Power Balance before, according to the company. AFP/GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
A photo of St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols hands in the lobby of Power Balance's Laguna Niguel headquarters. The All-Star who has worn the band for the past two seasons personalized the photo to Power Balance. TOM GANNAM/AP, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Power Balance wristbands have been making the jump from traditional sports and onto the left wrist of 2009 World Series of Power champion Joe Cada. He won $8.5 million at the tournament. ISAAC BREKKEN/AP, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
These All-Stars have at least one thing in common. Both Denver Nugget Carmelo Anthony, left, and Los Angeles Clipper Baron Davis wear Power Balance. NOAH GRAHAM/NBAE, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom greets Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony (No. 13) before a game. Both faithfully wear their Power Balance wristbands. Odom even have wristband habits that include wearing specific colors or specific numbers of bands on certain gamedays. PHOTO COURTESY POWER BALANCE, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Boston Celtics power forward Paul Pierce (right) puts a block on New York Knicks/ Wilson Chandler in a Nov. 2009 game. Pierce has been wearing Power Balance, seen on his left wrist, for two seasons. KATHY KMONICEK/AP, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitcher Scott Kazmir has joined the Power Balance team. On the company's Web site (www.powerbalance.com), Kazmir says: "This product gets me tremendous results, it really makes a difference. As a starting pitcher balance is essential in repeating your delivery, instead of falling off towards the plate I am able to maintain much better balance throughout my leg kick. Also, you need core strength and endurance for everything and in going through my routines there is no doubt I feel better with the product on than when I don't have it. I have no doubt PB in going to get me to the next level." PHOTO BY KEVIN SULLIVAN/THE REGISTER, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Anaheim Duck teammates Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne celebrate winning the Olympic bronze medal after Finland's 5-3 victory over Slovakia Saturday at Canada Hockey Place in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Before the games began, Selanne visited Power Balance to get wristbands for his teammate. Selanne is trying to negotiate distribution rights for Power Balance in Finland. PHOTO BY KEVIN SULLIVAN/THE REGISTER, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez wears a Power Balance band on his left wrist while signing autographs before a June 10, 2010 game. A-Rod showed the wristband to rapper/businessman Jay-Z, who asked to meet Power Balance founders Troy and Josh Rodarmel. GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Los Angeles Lakers' Lamar Odom slams home 2 points in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns. He is wearing a Power Balance bracelet on each wrist. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Up next in Power Balance technology is this pendant, not yet for sale but being worn by company CFO Keith Kato. Currently the company offers wristbands ($29.95), zinc alloy pendants ($79) and a 10-pack of adhesive holograms ($99). PHOTO BY ANA VENEGAS/THE REGISTER, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
The success of Power Balance has provided Troy (left) and Josh Rodarmel with so many opportunities, no to mention a good living. Troy, 35, of Capistrano Beach, said he has been able to buy a few more pairs of shoes. Josh, 26, of Laguna Niguel, is traveling the world on business and now in the market to buy his first home. But the coolest thing might have been that rapper/businessman Jay-Z saw New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez wearing a Power Balance wristband and Jay-Z wanted to meet the brains behind the band. PHOTO BY ANA VENEGAS/THE REGISTER, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER

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